National Ocean Service

About: National Ocean Service is a government organization based out in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Algal bloom & Population. The organization has 500 authors who have published 643 publications receiving 46096 citations.

Predictive mapping for management and conservation of seagrass beds in North Carolina

Abstract: An Erratum has been published for this article in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 12(2), 2002 577 1 This research extends techniques of predictive mapping from their application in terrestrial environments to marine landscapes by investigating the relationship between seagrass and hydrodynamics in Core Sound, North Carolina, USA 2 An empirically derived logistic multiple regression model and a Boolean logic suitability model were used to produce several predictive map products, including: susceptibility of seagrasses to storms, probability of seagrass cover, and suitability of areas for restoration of seagrasses A visual comparison between these maps and conventional seagrass polygon maps allows for a discussion of ‘field’ versus ‘object’ mapping, and the ramifications for management based on different cartographic techniques 3 The predictive method used here showed that only a small portion (19%) of the seagrass bed in the study area would be expected to have a high probability of seagrass coverage The majority of the seagrass habitat in the study area was predicted to have less than 50% probability of seagrass cover In addition, 16% of the nearly 2000 ha of seagrass within the study area were predicted to be highly susceptible to acute storm events Moreover, using a conservative set of site selection criteria, only 7% of the study area encompassed by seagrass habitat was predicted to have a high probability of successful restoration if injured 4 This method provides for an inexpensive way to scale-up from high-resolution data to a coarser scale that is often required for conservation and management Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Length-based assessment of sustainability benchmarks for coral reef fishes in Puerto Rico

Abstract: SUMMARY The sustainability of multispecies coral reef fisheries is a key conservation concern given their economic and ecological importance. Empirical estimation and numerical model analyses were conducted to evaluate exploitation status via resource reference points (or sustainability benchmarks) for coral reef fishes of the snapper-grouper complex in Puerto Rico. Mean size (¯ L, in length) of animals in the exploited part of the population was estimated from fishery-dependent and fishery-independent size composition data and used as an indicator variable of exploitation rates. In application, fishing mortality rates estimated from ¯ L of various data sources were comparable. Of the 25 reef fish species assessed, 16 were below 30% spawning potential ratio (SPR), six were above 30% SPR, and three could not be reliably determined owing to low sample sizes. These findings indicate that a majority ofsnapper-grouperspeciesinPuertoRicoarecurrently fished at unsustainable levels.

Assessment of specific binding proteins suitable for the detection of paralytic shellfish poisons using optical biosensor technology.

Abstract: Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxin monitoring in shellfish is currently performed using the internationally accredited AOAC mouse bioassay. Due to ethical and performance-related issues associated with this bioassay, the European Commission has recently published directives extending procedures that may be used for official PSP control. The feasibility of using a surface plasmon resonance optical biosensor to detect PSP toxins in shellfish tissue below regulatory levels was examined. Three different PSP toxin protein binders were investigated: a sodium channel receptor (SCR) preparation derived from rat brains, a monoclonal antibody (GT13-A) raised to gonyautoxin 2/3, and a rabbit polyclonal antibody (R895) raised to saxitoxin (STX). Inhibition assay formats were used throughout. Immobilization of STX to the biosensor chip surface was achieved via amino-coupling. Specific binding and inhibition of binding to this surface was achieved using all proteins tested. For STX calibration curves, 0-1000 ng/mL, IC50 values for each binder were as follows: SCR 8.11 ng/mL; GT13-A 5.77 ng/mL; and R895 1.56 ng/mL. Each binder demonstrated a different cross-reactivity profile against a range of STX analogues. R895 delivered a profile that was most likely to detect the widest range of PSP toxins at or below the internationally adopted regulatory limits.

Field applications of the second‐generation Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) for remote detection of harmful algae: 2006‐2007

Abstract: We assess the application of the second-generation Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) for the detection of harmful algal bloom (HAB) species in field and laboratory settings using two molecular probe techniques: a sandwich hybridization assay (SHA) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). During spring 2006, the first time this new instrument was deployed, the ESP successfully automated application of DNA probe arrays for various HAB species and other planktonic taxa, but non-specific background binding on the SHA probe array support made results interpretation problematic. Following 2006, the DNA array support membrane that we were using was replaced with a different membrane, and the SHA chemistry was adjusted. The sensitivity and dynamic range of these modifications were assessed using 96-well plate and ESP array SHA formats for several HAB species found commonly in Monterey Bay over a range of concentrations; responses were significantly correlated (p < 0.01). Modified arrays were deployed in 2007. Compared to 2006, probe arrays showed improved signal:noise, and remote detection of various HAB species was demonstrated. We confirmed that the ESP and affiliated assays can detect HAB populations at levels below those posing human health concerns, and results can be related to prevailing environmental conditions in near real-time.